The Abstract and the Physical Realms: A Philosophical Approach in Architecture - Research Paper Example

 The Abstract and the Physical Realms: A Philosophical Approach in Architecture Abstract This paper will explore the penetration of the science of philosophy into the modern world of architecture. It will connect the complex branches of philosophy such as ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics, epistemology and logic into the physical nature of architectural pieces and designs. Hence, this paper will thus argue that the abstract nature of philosophy and its corresponding branches of study can be manifested unto the physical world of architecture. It will first narrate key terminologies and definitions that are relevant for the paper’s arguments. Its primary goal is to discuss how each of the branches of philosophy shows its presence unto a particular architectural work – particularly Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron’s Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, China- by dissecting elements of design and techniques. For research materials, this paper will deal with a variety of books and internet articles as its sources of information. These sources will be corroborated with one another in order to explain the primary thesis of this paper - one that deals with the relationship of philosophy and architecture. Keywords: philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics, epistemology, logic, architecture The Abstract and the Physical Realms: A Philosophical Approach in Architecture The Philosophical Realm and Architecture Philosophy is a study of a set of dilemmas and problems that deals with abstract and general questions concerning the nature of human existence, purpose, morality, reason and knowledge (Teichmann & Evans, 1999, p. 1). The ultimate aim of philosophy is to gain further knowledge about the mentioned inquiries in human life (Grayling, 1998, p. 1). With such concerns about the meaning of natural existence, the concrete world of modernity shadows one’s quest for the philosophical truth. Yet, the physical nature of modernity, embodied through architectural structures, can somehow provide answers to these sought-after inquiries. Architecture can be seen as a medium that relays messages from philosophy itself. Ethics, as one of the branches of philosophy, deals with the study of what is relatively ethical in human life. It considers the argument between what is wrong and what is right and what is good and what is bad in one’s decisions in a particular space and time. The application of ethics can be seen in law, politics and the discourse of morality in religion (Kraut, 2010, par. 1). Metaphysics, on the other hand, explains the core nature of existence and being in the world. It handles the inquiries on what is there in life and what can be felt upon existing in this world (Geisler, 1999, p. 446). If the very reason of life is questioned in metaphysics, aesthetics explains man’s emotions towards art, beauty, creation and taste. With such emotions, the appreciation for the mentioned aspects follows the study of sensory values (Zangwill, 2010, par. 1). Epistemology questions the very field of knowledge and its scope. It deals with the limitations of human knowledge and the process by which it is acquired (Edwards, 1967). Logic, unlike the general form of epistemological analysis of knowledge, deals with the argument whether a particular matter is valid or a fallacy. The value of reason and inference are important factors with relations to logic (Hofweber, 2004, par. 6). All of these present interesting inquiries about humanity and the kind of life one lives. More importantly, such inquiries are subjected into ethical theories like the theory of obligation which handles questions and the theory of value which provides the answers. As what can be seen with the branches that had been explained, each field deals with the abstract and intangible factors that revolve around human life. Morality, existence, emotions, knowledge and human reason continue to produce puzzling questions that give philosophy and the hard sciences fuel for further research. By dealing with the abstract and the intangible, the remote practice of architectural designs and structures can be seen as a far discipline from that of the philosophical realm. Architects often contain themselves with the concerns of the physical world such as the possible effects of the natural forces unto the constructs of their blueprints. They use the power of the hard sciences such as mathematics and physics in order to defy opposing natural external factors. However, there are instances where the philosophical realm can be evidenced within the intricate designs that architects produce out of the structures they create. These designs often follow a certain pattern – a pattern influenced by a certain artistic movement in a particular moment in history. These patterns usually produce a specific aura which creates emotions and feelings - one that the audience ought to feel. In this case, it can be said that architecture aims not only for the satisfaction of the visual aspect but also for the satisfaction of the senses. Such discipline indirectly projects its goals to the fulfilment of venturing into a personal quest within the philosophical realm. The Philosophy in the Bird’s Nest Stadium By dealing with the manifestation of the philosophical realm unto the physical world of architecture, the most efficient way of identifying the most imminent presence of such within particular architectural pieces are by using the theory of obligation and the theory of value. By applying the theory of obligation, one might ask questions such as: how can the branches of philosophy transcend the architecture? How can they provide humanity the fulfilment of attaining answers to the questions in life? In response, the theory of value provides the appropriate answers by giving examples of structural pieces that manifest the mentioned philosophical branches. The most recent manifestation of philosophy in the architectural world is the utilization of logic. Philosophy states that the concept of logic provides the answers for validity and conversely rejects the concept of fallacy. One of the probable approaches to logic is the application of figurative representations such as the binary system in order to prevent fallacy. With the binary system, one can logically solve any inquiry in a deductive approach. According to William Mitchell’s book, The Logic of Architecture, architecture can be expressed in words through logical syntax. To add to this, he argued that grammar can be utilized in logical syntax which, in turn, can be used to design architecture (Mitchell, 1990, pp. 131-183). What can be noticed in Mitchell’s argument is that he greatly relies on a theoretical approach in architecture. This would be problematic in the context of traditional architecture where practical mathematics dominates the architect’s designs and blueprints. However, Mitchell writes in the context of the 20th century where computer technology and programming assist construction designs. By using the binary system, one can assess if a certain structure is adequately strong or not. This is where programming does its job as it arranges the structures into a logical pattern (Mitchell, 1990, pp. 109-131). An example of philosophical logic concretely seen within architecture is the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing designed by Swiss Modernist/Post-Modern architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron. The method applied unto the Bird’s Nest Stadium involved materials being wielded which replicated an enormous bird’s nest. Tons of steel were forcibly curved and stretched over long distances in order to satisfy the demands of the architects’ design. In this way, magnificent curves of metal were created, thus producing pomp and elegance when one observes the entire structure from afar (Libby, 2008, p. B1.2). The technology involved with the construction of the bent steel polls was good for two reasons: utilitarianism and aesthetics. The outcome is a spectacular sight of modern engineering and architecture. In a utilitarian sense, the binary system, through complex computer programming, was the key aspect of the Bird’s Nest Stadium’s design. Engineers had to use the advanced CAD technology and Aerospace software in order to create 3 dimensional models of the stadium. The software technology organized the steel beams which functioned as the primary feature of the entire structure. These computer models also determined the durability of the stadium, particularly the shaking of the steel beams during earthquakes (Jamal, 2010, par. 14 & 19). Indeed as what Mitchell argued, the philosophical realm of logic was made manifest in the Bird’s Nest Stadium through the binary system of computer programming. Ethics and epistemology can be seen in the physical world of architecture through the orientation of space and its meaning with relations to the structure itself. One might ask himself: how, within the context of our rapidly changing world, do experiences with architecture - sacred and social spaces - impress upon the individual? Brin Stevens in his article, Construction of the soul - Ethics and Architecture Symposium (2002), explains the morality and ethics within architecture: From weaves of dimension, whether simply a resident of space or a creator of walls, we are a people searching for meaning and permanence; we are separate energy systems moving in continuous construction of our souls, sometimes advancing before our spaces do. So that we shall live in a more grounded self, we need to revisit our ethical structures which remind us of the verities of life and help create and preserve internal exploration. And while the most precious space may be found within oneself, it is only by virtue of the presence of others that we come to know our soul (par. 6). From what is implied by the passage above, Stevens asserts that humans are not only simple residents of a particular structure, but they are also explorers of their owns selves. The structures around influence how people act and think, thus they learn to search the internal annals of their souls; they learn how to be self-grounded, co-exist with others and search their inner ethics. Together with the ethical development of oneself, the epistemological aspect is also brought about by architecture. In the same article, Stevens narrates that: Structures enclosing space and closing out other space tell a powerful story of human origins. Sacred space offers a place to experience the tangible Paradise or at least a portal to the celestial one. Space adapts to our needs as it fills with discourse and participation, or silence; it is the very fabric of our lives, past, present, and future (par. 2). Clearly, architecture gives people the venue to question facts about their history. Upon seeing a structure, one could develop a realization and an inquiry about his or her distant past. Hence, it can be said that epistemology or the quest for knowledge and for the origin of what one knows or perceives is a direct by-product of architectural constructs and designs. Returning to Herzog and De Meuron’s Bird’s Nest Stadium, ethics can be seen through the very foundations and basis of its design. In every sense, the concept and the materials used for the stadium are very minimalistic – a critical trait of modernist architecture (Libby, 2008, p. B1.2). Hence, the value of minimalism is felt by those who experience the majesty of the structure. They feel the structure’s simplicity and sereneness amidst the firm complexity in construction and design. Epistemology is then manifested through the very resemblance and symbolism of the stadium. The essential characteristics of the Bird’s Nest Stadium are all regarded as modernist in nature - the simple concept of imitating a bird’s nest which represents the Oriental culture and the simple use of steel to cover the exterior shell of the entire structure (Libby, 2008, p. B1.2). The very form of the stadium itself presents questions amongst those who dwell around the structure. People may ask themselves about their origin. They might inquire about the Oriental past which they, as a nation, have. Indeed, the Bird’s Nest Stadium is an architectural feat that provokes one to seek for further knowledge about an individual’s or a nation’s past. From what was defined earlier, metaphysics is described as a part of human existence dealing with emotions, thoughts, feelings and ideas which transcend the physical world where humans reside. The very word itself means going beyond what is physical. The philosopher Martin Heidegger states that the physical world, including architects for that matter, provoke the inner metaphysical reactions within individuals. This means that structures bring out memories, ideas and emotions within human beings. This kind of reaction is an important aspect in humanity’s experience of the world (Quiros, Burns & Repp, 2001, par. 9 & 10). Hence, it can be said that the philosophical branch of metaphysics coincide with ethics and epistemology. Both ethics and epistemology extract the moral traits and the value for knowledge within individuals respectively. In a collective manner, the metaphysics manifests itself through both of the mentioned philosophical branches. This means that metaphysics works through the presence of ethics and epistemology within architectural pieces. Applying metaphysics to Herzog and De Meuron’s Bird’s Nest Stadium means that the manner by which the people feels and imbibes the values of simplicity and serenity due to the structure’s minimalist design is a demonstration of ethics and metaphysics working together, where both deal with emotion and feelings. The same goes with the partnership of epistemology and metaphysics where a particular individual is brought into a quest for the search of knowledge about his or her origin and distant past because of the stadium’s primary form and design. Both deal with memory and appreciation. Clearly, metaphysics makes itself evident when one or both are present. Aesthetics is one of the most prevalent philosophical branches which manifest itself into the physical world of architecture. Aesthetics in Herzog and De Meuron’s work can be evidenced in the architectural movement that influenced the Bird’s Nest Stadium. The form, structure and design exemplify the precepts of the Post-Modern movement – rich in the curves that the minimalistic steel bars had created. “Order amidst chaos”, this is what best describes the Bird’s Nest Stadium; order for the minimalism in modernity and the post-modern chaos in the complex design of the bird’s nest. The structure thus breaks the boundaries between what is modern, orderly and plain, and what is post-modern, organized but in disarray (Libby, 2008, p. B1.2). The final output for the stadium produces a sense of appreciation for beauty. It creates an aura of admiration for what is majestic in simplicity and complexity. These are all expressions of aesthetics in art and structure. Conclusion Indeed, the abstract nature of philosophy and its corresponding branches of study can be manifested unto the physical world of architecture. As what is shown throughout the discussion, the mentioned philosophical branches manifest themselves unto certain structures through the architect’s method of design, technique and representation of a particular influence. The primary goal of this paper is to concretize the assumption of its thesis. In turn, the thesis had been proven by setting Herzog and De Meuron’s Bird’s Nest Stadium as the paper’s central example. Through such the subsequent arguments of the main topic had been duly supported. The study presented by this paper can be an important tool in understanding the relationship between the physical and the abstract world. It can also function as a good source for further research about the connection between philosophy and architecture and how the mentioned relationship affects the people as its audience. More importantly, notion of philosophical appreciation and deeper admiration for architectural feats are stressed and derived from the study created for this paper. References Edwards, P. (ed). (1967). The Encyclopedia of Philosophy. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. & the Free Press. Grayling, A.C. (1998). Philosophy 1: A Guide through the Subject. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Geisler, Norman L. (1999). Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Michigan: Baker Books. Hofweber, T. (2004). Logic and Ontology. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 1. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2011/entries/logic-ontology/. Jamal, Haseeb. (2010). The Beijing Olympic Stadium Construction. Ja Teline. Retrieved from http://www.enggpedia.com/civil-engineering-encyclopedia/megastructures/beijing-olympics-stadium. Kraut, Richard. (2010). Aristotle's Ethics. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2010/entries/aristotle-ethics/. Libby, Brian. (2008, August 20). Beijing Bird's Nest – Architecture. Architecture Week, pp. B1.1-B1.2. Mitchell, William J. (1990). The Logic of Architecture: Design, Computation and Cognition. Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press. Quiros, Luis Diego, Burns, David & Repp, Ethan. (2001). Achieving the Metaphysics of Architecture: The Architecture of Peter Zumthor. Retrieved from http://www.quirpa.com/docs/achieving_the_metaphysics_of_architecture__peter_zumthor.html. Stevens, Brin. (2002). Construction of the Soul - Ethics and Architecture Symposium. Cross Currents, 3. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2096/is_3_52/ai_94983814/. Teichmann, Jenny & Evans, Katherine C. (1999). Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide. New Jersey: Blackwell Publishing. Zangwill, Nick. (2010). Aesthetic Judgment. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 3. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2010/entries/aesthetic-judgment/. Read More